In a memo yesterday, Gannett CEO Craig Dubow said the furloughs come amid the "most difficult economic conditions we have ever experienced"

[W]e decided a furlough program would be the fairest and least intrusive way to meet these fiscal challenges in the first quarter, which is traditionally the lightest time of the year. We sincerely hope this minimizes the need for any layoffs going forward.

A source at KSDK tells me that there is still some question how the furlough will impact union employees, but for now everyone -- including Mike Bush, Jennifer Blome, Cordell Whitlock and, yes, Mike Owens (pictured) -- will be asked to take an unpaid vacation before April 1.